Improvement in gang-plows



No. 95,997. Patented Oct. 19, 186-9.

: 1741.19 n'Z'o-r;

H. PETERS Phowmm n tm. Washingmm D. C.

UNITE ATENT OFFICE.

IMPROVEMENT IN GANG-PLOWS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 95,997. dated October 19, 1869.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAu J. FUNK, of Portland. in the county of Multnomah, in the State of Oregon, have invented a new and Improved Gang-Plow; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full and exact descrip tion thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a perspective view; Fig. 2, a side View of lovers A B and joint-strap G. Fig. 3 is a view of links D O and eye-piece F; Fig. 4, a side elevation, and Fig. 5 a side view of the rear end of the tongue.

My invention consists of a rock-shaft, M, to which the levers A B are firmly fastened by a bolt, H, or otherwise. To this rock-shaft M links D O are fastened by a peculiar-shaped eye piece, F. This eye-piece is contrived for two purposes: first, to let the plows down in the earth, and, second, to raise them out. These links D and C have no relation whatever to gaging the depth of the plows, as will be seen subsequently, -but are used for these two purposes, in connection with still anotherthat of allowing the plows to follow their own draft-line independent of any position the shaft M may occupy in relation to themas, forinstance, the wheels fall, either one or both, into a rut, thereby instantly lowering the shaft M, which, were there not two links, (or a free motion,) would instantly load the fore plow-beam and press the plows into the ground beyond remedy; but the plows still drag-as by a chainforthe instant, and do not dig into the ground unless the depression continues. In the same way, if the wheels should rise, the plows are not thrown out of ground. These things are suggested by actual experience with plows, and are here used as improvements on plows, acting as a common draft-chain, and yet rigid when used for raising out of ground.

I am not aware that a clevis is used on any gang-plow for gaging the depth of furrow, and I use it for this purpose, it having the parts of a clevis of the common sort, and being in no way different from them, unless it be that they are more strongly made. A clevis and a pair of links are used on each side of the plow-frame at the fore part.

The heel of the plow-frame is operated in the following manner: The lever A or B, being thrust forward, raises the links C and D, (they being now rigid in the piece F,) and thereby the clevis E or fore end of the plowframe, and as the motion continues the plows are thrown out of ground and are immediately raised higher by the roller I, coming in contact with the incline L on the rear end of the tongue K, which for this purpose is brought in contact and to the rear of the axle, and continued in the direction of its length between the plow-frame, (or beams.) At the fore (upper) part of the incline L is a check, J, keeping the plow-frame from coming farther forward than necessary. The bottom curve in the incline serves as a center when first brought against the roller I, in the act of beginning to raise the plows from the ground. The rockshat't M may be the axle of the wheels,'or may be attached thereto by any common means. I will only claim this as a means of raising the plows and accomplishing the purpose alluded to in this description, for the operation of the joint in the eyepiece F, and the links 0 and D, and the resultant motions, as described heretofore.

The eye-piece F, links 0 and D, and clevis E are in pairs or triplets, as there may be one, two, or three plows, and each and all being attached to the rock-shaft M in a manner parallel.

I claim- The combination of the rock-shaft M, the eye-piece F, links 0 and D, clevis E, roller I, incline L, and check J, on tongue K, when applied to a gang-plow as described, and for the purposes set forth.

WVILLIAM J, FUNK.

WVitnesses:

H. B. OATMAN, O. M. MARTIN. 

